82 BULLETIN 355, U. S. DEPARTMENT. 0¥- AGRICULTURE. 



humidity is higher than on hilltops and in which danger of storms is 

 less are especially well suited for this crop. 



Sugar beets (Ref. No. 7, pp. 606-608).— With reference to fertility, 

 sugar beets have essentially the same requirements as corn, though 

 it is important to recognize the fact that this crop requires a great 

 deal of hand labor, A highly fertile soil, cdtaparatively free from 

 weeds, is therefore even more desirable for this crop than for corn or 

 cotton. There is a close connection between the chmate and the 

 sugar content of the beet. The most favorable conditions are those 

 of relatively cool nights and of very clear, bright weather, especially 

 during the ripening period. These two concUtions are combined in 

 the North and in the western prairie States, where the altitude is such 

 as to produce cool nights. 



Potatoes (Ref. Nos. 7, pp. 598, 604; 10, p. 254).— While potatoes 

 are similar to com and sugar beets in their general requirements of 

 plant food, their production on a large scale is chiefly controlled by 

 conditions affecting: (1). Their quahty and freedom from the dis- 

 eases to which they are subject^ and (2) the use of tools for planting 

 and digging. The largest 3^ields of tliis crop may be secured on rela- 

 tively heavy soils which have high water-holding capacity and ordi- 

 narily greater fertihty, but on these soils the crop is subject to dis- 

 eases and can not be planted or harvested as readily as on the Hghter 

 sandy loams which permit the use of the digger and do not bake or 

 crack so as to aUow sunburn. Hence, this crop is best grown on 

 relatively light soils. Wlien grown on heavier soils and in a region 

 of heavy summer precipitation a ridged system of culture is best, 

 but on the Hghter soils and wherever summer rainfall is not excessive 

 flat culture is preferable. 



Scab and other fungus diseases to which the potato is subject 

 develop more often on soils of neutral or alkahne reaction than on 

 those wliich are acid, and hence, as before stated, the use of lime for 

 the correction of soil acidity is not desirable on the potato crop, or 

 if used on land on which potatoes are to be grown it should be appUed 

 on the crops from one to three years before the potatoes are grown. 



Cabbage and celery (Ref. No. 7, pp. 625, 628). — These crops are 

 similar in that they require large amounts of nitrogen, potash, and 

 water for their growth. Muck soils meet the requirements in regard 

 to nitrogen and water and require chiefly the use of potash fertilizers 

 to meet the demands of these crops. 



Melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. (Ref. No. 7, pp. 614-637). — These 

 crops are similar, especially in that they require unusually warm soils 

 and so are especially adapted to sandy loams. The fertility of these 

 soils can be maintained only through the use of relatively large quan- 

 tities of fertilizer, which should be apphed in the form of organic 

 matter, such as barnyard manure and dried blood, as far as possible. 



